GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Texas Stars scored more goals in two games against Grand Rapid than Abbotsford did in an entire series, one reason why the Griffins should be concerned head of Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.

The Stars, the No. 1 seed in the conference and unbeaten in five playoff games, scored five and four goals in Austin, Texas to jump out to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Griffins host Game 3 at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Van Andel Arena in the unaccustomed position of dealing with an offensive beating. During the season, they allowed the second fewest goals per game (2.46), and held Abbotsford to eight goals in four games in the opening round.

“I think, they had us on our heels both games,” said coach Jeff Blashill. “They did that by getting pucks behind us, forechecking us hard and creating a lot of turnovers. We seemed to be playing uphill and they were playing downhill in both games.”

Poor starts contributed to it. The Griffins allowed three first-period goals in a 5-2 loss on May 8 and three in the first two periods in a 4-0 loss on May 10.

“We’re a team that manages the puck and we had too many early turnovers against them,” forward Mitch Callahan said. “And they’re a very quick transition team and so we have to do a better job to maintain puck possession.”

It is the first time under Blashill the team has been down 2-0 in the playoffs, but not the first time they have lost consecutive playoff games. That happened against Oklahoma City and Syracuse in the final two rounds last year when the Griffins won the Calder Cup Trophy.

Texas, with the second highest scoring team (3.61) has gotten seven of its nine goals from three players. Brendan Ranford has three, including two in Game 2, and two each from Justin Dowling (both Game 2) and Dustin Jeffrey (both Game 1).

League MVP Travis Morin has been held without a goal but has four assists.

“They skated better than us,” defenseman Nathan Paetsch said. “I think we can skate a lot better than we did. I think we were hesitant and we sat back because they were skating and coming at us. We can’t change our game for their style so we have to do a better job of that.”

Blashill won’t change goaltenders. Petr Mrazek will start, he said.

“Petr’s playing,” Blashill said. “We’ve given up way too many big-time chances. It certainly hasn’t been Petr’s fault as all.

Texas put up 36 and 37 shots, respectively, in the first two games, with 30 coming in two periods in each.

The Griffins are unsure about the availability of Teemu Pulkkinen, the team’s leading scorer during the regular season as well as in the first-round against Abbotsford. He was injured in the first period of Game 2, but finished with what Blashill said was a lower body injury.

Pulkkinen did not practice Monday.

Jeff Hoggan also missed practice. He was excused to be with his wife, who early this morning delivered the couple’s third child – and third boy – in Quinn Maximus. Blashill expects him to be back for Tuesday’s game.

Forward Jordin Tootoo is questionable. He hasn’t played since the opener of the playoffs. He practiced Monday. But defenseman Adam Almquist is not as close. He hasn’t practiced since hurt in the second game of the Abbotsford series.